powerlord

wow they've really changed the top of Babdag! seems they've even build a fecking lake (swimming ?). first time I was there, the block paving wasn't even there.

yeh that'd be great Tony - a good excuse to drive to lands-end too as never done it before. is there somewhere u know you can fly from around there then ? stu

Hi chaps, I'm gonna head down to the South West from 13th July for a few weeks for some flying and cycling, etc in the motorhome. So far I've got two flying locations sorted (and where I can also wild camp for 2-3 days) - one near Glastonbury, and the other - Davidstow, thanks to Tony on the forum. Obviously the weather as usual is the great unknown, so it would great if I could find another 2 places or so in that general pointy out bit: Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset area - so I can bumble about between location as the weather dictates. Any friendly clubs or airfields, etc. Obviously happy to pay visiting fees, etc as required. Ideally be good if I can stay at the field for a few nights as I say, as it makes it easier to take advantage of the weather, and it gives me somwhere to stay without hunting for laybys, etc - I try to avoid campsites at all costs really. Failing that, maybe known locations you've not had issues flying from - waste ground, moors or whatever would be a start. atb stu

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1bvxowLP7U I've stuck this as a link - as you'll need to comment on the youtube video with the answer if u want a chance of winning the quality merch on offer

On the assumption that eventually holidays will resume - does anyone know of anywhere that does a course on speed wings ? not powered, just courses with speed wings ? thought it'd be kinda fun learning. I tried one once but it was so responsive it scared the pants off me, but I could see how once you get used to it, a hike and fly kinda thing would be pretty fun - but I'd rather not just buy one and make all the mistakes I'd no doubt avoid if I had a course first. I had a rake around the inter-verse but turned up blank. Alternative I suppose is one of the single skin intermediate wings coming out now - same weight, but flies more like a regular PG.. but as new, they're aint many 2nd hand out there, and I don't think I'd use it enough to justify spending 2k on a toy I'd use 2 or 3 times a year. stu

Hi chaps - if you've got an older van or motorhome fer paramotor transport, or an older car - maybe it's worth upgrading yer stereo ? I've had an android based on in the motorhome for a while - 7" screen, etc- but it's very slow, crap processor, etc and kept crashing all the time. They've come on quite a bit, and prices have dropped a hell of a lot so I fitted a new one. You can get a cheap 10.1" panel one for about 60 quid now, or a better one with vastly faster processor, more memory, split screen support etc for about 150 squid. I started with the 60 quid one, but went up to the 150 quid one as I wanted split screen, and more memory - since the cheap one kept closing my background apps as it ran out of memory. Like all this chinese no make stuff, expect 'quirks' - the most obvious one for those not having used these before is that most will only 'remember' the apps, music etc playing for a minute or so after turn off ignition, then they shut down.. so each time you start motor its 20 secs or so to start up android... that's one of the few benefits ones like Xtrons and pumpkins ones have - but they cost twice as much. anyway, they are worth a look if you fancy a cheapish upgrade to yer vehicle imho - I have split screen satnav/music player, latest maps, speed limits, traffic cams, tyre pressure monitor, etc and a nice big screen all for less than my first decent tape deck car stereo cost me in 1990.. This one lefts me adjust shutdown time - so at 15 mins it means stopping for petrol, etc doesn't mean it shuts down and restarts again. I did add an amp, subwoofer and upgraded speakers right enough - which was another 200 quid, but still cheaper than a pioneer or summit. here's my setup here if you wanna see one in action:

hi andrew, just google the Kenwood plug and you'll find pinout. Same for TRRS of android. https://www.wildtalk.com/knowledge-base/kenwood-2-pin-wiring-data/ https://www.epanorama.net/blog/2014/09/15/android-device-external-mic-wiring/ I've done it both ways - no major issues. stu

Designed some new graphics for the motorhome - 3 layers of vinyl. came out pretty good I reckon. the dark blue is same blue as front of van, and silver matches the hymer silver.

sunny, thermal and about 10-12mph ground wind today. And after cleaning the van, I thought I'd check BHPA site and found I could fly again. Last flight January before the knee op. 3 months since knee op, which is early, but physio says I'm at the stage most folk are after 6 months, so feck it - I went for a wee 20 min flight today just to get back in the air. I only had 2.5 liters of fuel, and it was bumpy and thermal as buggery, but it was just good to get back up in the air frankly. I visibility of about 60 miles so nice views (as nice as they get in billiard table suffolk anyhoo), and thermals have never bothered me much. Surprised not more folk commenting about flights - I was a bit worried I'd read it wrong so checked BHPA again to be sure - and I'm sure was all allowed. The fact the skies were full of GA was also a give away - never seen so many wee planes around here than today. Anyhoo - got up, got down, landed on my feet, no issues with knee. So all in all, I call that a win. Looks like some better weather over the week, so might have another go now I've got some more fuel, etc. stu

https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/news/leeds-news/hang-glider-flies-over-leeds-18021405 hmm...

Hasn't that got anything for it ? I'm an apple fanboy - but just for macs (got 5 macbooks, 2 imacs and 3 mac minis in the hoose and been developing for macs since the 90s). but not an iOS fan at all though I'm afraid - after about iphone 4 is was glaring obvious to me that android was better - and that's never changed.. though I wish I could free myself from the grip of google. I think PPgs has a companion iwatch app - have you tried that ? It's not something I'd develop myself as frankly I'm a selfish sod - and build stuff for myself - and if it's useful for someone else, that's a happy side effect! Can you even see an iwatch screen in bright sunlight ? stu

OK, I admit this has zero paramotoring relevance.. but I thought I'd knock up a website to cheer folk up stuck in their hooses. Some 'official' advice on how to work from home. feel free to share - maybe bring a smirk to folks faces. https://wfh-faq.yolasite.com/ and as they say in Hill Steeet Blue - Let's be careful out there. stu

If anyone is using it and fancies doing a review in SkyWings, SkyWings is keen - either contact myself, or go direct to Joe at Skywings if you'd prefer. stu

next feature I want to add is wind speed estimation. Frankly I don't think it's that useful as most of us will know you get an inherent feel for it, and work it out in yer head from yer speed/direction anyway - but I thought the maths would be a challenge, so it's on the backlog for the next version. yup a few older models don't. But even something like the old vivoactive 3 (current is 4), which actually is 140 quid for refurb on amazon has barometric and gps. Seems some of the forerunners don't have em - suppose not required for running. I'd be interested how much difference it makes when flying tbh. I'm sticking with my old Fenix 3 - I like it's chunkness, and other than a bit better resolution and more memory for maps, music there's nowt new in 900 quid Fenix 6x as far as I can see - and only the X is the same 51mm chunky size as they make you pay a premium now if you want a big un.

I do mention that in video. Saying that, nearly all of them do. It's a weird product line really--there's almost no hardware difference between a 250 quid vivo active and a 900 quid fenix 6. Just different cases and slightly different resolutions and totally different fonts on every fecking model... Most of rewrite was coping with the miriad of resolutions and making my own custom fonts for each one.

no idea, never used one Andy. I see it's a big military thing for ranging. I mean if it does what you need of it, fair enough. It's a very different device by the looks of things - apples and oranges. I mean, I imagine you don't walk around with that on your wrist 9-5 ? Similarly any GPS watch can give you stuff like speed, alti, etc. The previous video has a run through of features if curious, but I think you said at the time you were happy that your Fortrex did everything you needed ? All stufly tries to do is package it all up in an easy to use friendly interface - I'm sure it's not for everyone but lots of folk seem to like it. I suppose one major benefit for those with a garmin smartwatch (they are the most popular smartwatches after android and ios), is it's just an app to run on a watch you already have - alongside a whole other bunch of apps people use. Garmin's close interlinking with stuff like Strava, etc is why lots of folk have them for running, cycling, etc. So saves having another bit of kit just for flying, etc. Whether it's worth buying a smartwatch just to run stuFly - that's up to the individual I suppose, though I know quite a few folk that have. At least now, they can buy a cheaper one, or maybe one that does stuff they want like music, etc and get stuFly as a bonus rather than having to buy an expensive Fenix 6 or second hand older Fenix model. Things like the vivoactive 3 can still be bought new for example for 169 quid, which is a steal for a colour smartwatch with heart monitor, etc- and it's now compatible with stufly. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Garmin-Vivoactive-Smartwatch-Built-Gunmetal/dp/B0751HV9QT/ref=sr_1_10?keywords=garmin+fenix&qid=1583872499&sr=8-10 stu

Simon's figures sound right to me. and I'd take a stab that only maybe a 1/3rd of them fly more than once a year or so. How many folk get kitted up, insured then find it ain't for them, etc - hence the nearly new paramotors always for sale. Certainly over here in billiard table suffolk I reckon there's about the same number of ACTIVE pilots as there were 10 years ago (6 or 7) more or less. And when I'm flying up in scotland, I get the feeling from the locals it's much the same up there - a few new ones, a few folk stopping - more or less steady numbers. which for us in the know I'm sure you find as mental as me - why the hell this isn't more popular is a constant mystery to me - whenever I get comments on my videos from non pilots they are usually about how amazing it looks, how they'd wish they could do it, that it was on their bucket list, etc, etc. Also the lack of young folk in the game - my youtube demographics are 100% male, with 90% of my viewers between 35-65. But if you could do this in the 90s when I was in my 20s I'd have bit yer hand off to do it.. * Bottom line is, it would appear only a few of us as commited enough (or mad enough we should be committed) to actually go through with strapping a moped engine and fan on our backs and taking to the air. And the selfish part of me says... long may that continue *possibly confirming my suspicions that not only are today's millennial generally useless at anything technical, they also appear to be pussies...

Ppft - this is ideal weather for record beating cross countries and speed records. I for one, want to see the first paramotor video cracking the 200mph barrier.

So I'll add my 2c. I did a paragliding course in 2000 with an outfit that I thought looked reputable but turned out to by an association with 2 members passing themselves off as a national body. Attempts to get solid information about paramotoring from various 'experts' at the time gave me as many contrary opinions as there were experts. It seems the nature of the hobby to attract 'mavericks'. One expert would tell me to buy X, and high hangpoints are the only way to go. The next would tell me never to buy X, and high hangpoints will kill you. After a bit of research, I frankly gave up - the sport was simply full of opinionated people with no evidence other than personal experience to back up anything they said. 6 years later, in 2006 it seemed to be a bit more settled.. only a bit mind.. the BHPA still pretty much had nothing to do with PPG - still pushing the learn to PG first, and go from their route, but PPG instructors were rarer than hens teeth, and they all expected you to have your own equipment AND pay a fortune up front for no good reason. That and having experienced weekend after weekend trecking 4 hours each way up to the Yorkshire Dales to maybe...one weekend in 3..get 1/2 a day or so on the hill flying, made me determined to not go through all that crap again. But here's the thing - everyone is different. Some folk learn by getting a basic level from experience or books and going from there, some like a more 121 engaged approach. One size does not fit all. I'm the sort of bloke that if i find I need to do some welding, buys a welder and learns to weld. Needs a new kitchen worktop, so learns to use a router. Wants a new widget that measures current in his campervan, does the electronics and then codes it himself. I enjoy the challenge of having enough knowledge to make my own path - happy to make mistakes along the way, but to be that's where the thrill lives. I don't really like getting taught stuff. I used to be a good snowboarder - and I learned in the late 90s by falling on my arse a lot in the american rockies, and had no lessons at all. Was it efficient ? christ no. But it was a challenge - and I liked it. And wasting weekend after weekend driving 100s of miles to some instructor (most of whom back then as I say, demanded a vast amount of cash upfront) to then waste my time because weather wasn't right, etc, etc would have done my head in and I'd have abandoned it again. So, I flew off to South Africa for 3 weeks. And in that time got 20 paramotor flights in (my paragliding coming back to me a bit), and also got my A license for skydiving on the side when it wasn't flyable. There is no way in holly hell I'd have managed to do that in the UK. Now, did I really know what I was doing after 20 flights? did I F&&k... But it kept my interest, and when I came back, I knew it was something I wanted to do, so bought some second hand gear and started flying. I went through the next 4 or 5 years or so making regular mistakes, breaking at least 2 props a year, and learning from others. With better training I would probably have saved a bunch of cash, but.. I'd also probably have lost interest before I got there if that training was in the UK. As I say, one size does not fit all. If you are lucky enough to have a good trainer on your doorstep you'd be mad these days not to use em - summers have long hours of light, and everything has moved on a lot - training equipment available, good syllabuses, etc. I don't know how payment works but provided its pay as you go and not still some insane 2k up front nonsense, I'd go with a local trainer every time these days. Which is not to say I might not get a starter for 10 holiday in spain or something - because, why not - actions holidays are great fun. I learned to scuba in one (give me that over learning in a pool and the murky waters of the north sea anyday!!) , I learned to skydive again in 2012 as currency had well and truly run out from 2006, etc - I think holidays like that are a GREAT way to find if it's something you want to do, and continue when you get home. But it's just that - a starter for 10 most of the time. Maybe after a week in spain and some luck with the weather you come back with 5 or 6 flights under your belt. Maybe that keeps your interest, and with a bit of experience means there's a few more days that fall within flyable weather territory down at your local trainer to continue your training ? But, if you don't have anyone within 100 miles of you, I still think -- for the right person -- a couple of weeks intensive training somewhere weather static can be all they need. Especially if they've some previous experience with paragliding, or even with other types of 'learn difficult sh1t' type stuff. But I suppose you could argue those sort of folk are not the ones turning up at your door Simon. so as you say, maybe some mis-selling involved ? stu

this is the kinda thing I was talking about on the other thread. I twice had exactly this happen on my top 80 - twice I had to land out as I couldn't get enough power out the engine to stay level. twice, I stripped the carb down, took it off, checked the petals, yada yada, carb kit, new gasket, stuck it all back together and it started working again so I was none the wiser. Like here, I got 100 different reasons for what the cause was. If you've not already - that'd be what I'd do. chances are it is some little tiny thing - a small gap in the gasket, a slightly loose petal, a tiny bit of crap in the carb. Rather than spend ages trying to get the root cause, just take 2-3 hours to strip it all down, replace gasket, do carb kit, torque everything up right and I bet it goes away. These feckers fully implement chaos theory - looking for a specific cause it like looking for tits on a bull.

Wonder if that's one of the reasons more motors are being fitted with simple blow/breather pipes - less to go wrong ? why you'd put silicone anywhere near petrol is certainly a mystery - it just dissolves as you say. assuming yer carb's a walbro type it'll have a mesh at least to stop most of the crap, but I imagine you've already had that to bits and cleaned it/carb kitted it. I agree about the carbs though - YES folk will go on about how simple 2 strokes are, etc - and when they work, they seem rock solid - till they don't and it seems like all you need to do is look the the carb funny and the bloody thing never seems to be able to be set up right again.. I've lost count of the number of times I've had some weird issue with a paramotor 2 stroke, took it all apart, found nothing wrong, put it all back together and again.. and it works.. does yer head in. I swear somehow it is conscious and just wanted the attention.

Its the same with all ppg wings. none..well hardly any.. are certified for this reason. it's kinda rubbish, but unless the system changes its the way it is. The other big issue is that any riser systems have to be set to full slow for certification, and with ppg wings that's pointless as we just don't fly like that - especially with modern reflex wings - where we are almost always on fast trim. So for similar reasons dudek, etc don't bother certifying now. There's nothing to stop a decent certification scheme for paramotor wings - testing slow speed, fast speed, etc - and not expecting to try and do stupid crap like big ears a wing on full fast reflex, but it's been 20 years of reflex and it's yet to happen so I doubt it ever will - we are just small potatoes compared to the number of PG wings sold basically. And as a group we are not demanding it. So your best bests are go for a trusted paramotor wing manufacturer, and if going reflex, one who has been doing it a long time. You just need to trust them to categorize their own wings unfortunately. Arguably some are better than others at that. But the reason I've stuck with Dudek for 14 years is that reason - I want a company that's business is paramotor wings, not a company who's main business is PG and does PPG on the side. Just my 2c. Maybe controversial - I know Ozone seem to be doing ok now for example, but only 10 years ago or so their first attempts at reflex ppg wings were not good.. and it always feels like a sideline to them. Not sure if Niviuk is the same or not, but with no independent certification standard trust in the manufacturer is absolutely paramount imho. I'm not going to dish dirt - but there are some out there who play fast and loose with manuals and marketing bullshit, so ask around, read reviews, and make your decision based on something other than marketing p1sh on websites is my 2c. And just to be clear, DGAC is not a certification - it's like an EU 'CE' stamp pretty much. i.e. 'this thing exists and is made by XYZ' - it's meaningless. BHPA has this to say about it. https://www.bhpa.co.uk/pdf/BHPA_Certification_Factsheet.pdf